TY - GEN A1 - Baumann, Tobias A1 - Arndt, Katja Maren A1 - Müller, Kristian M. T1 - Directional cloning of DNA fragments using deoxyinosine-containing oligonucleotides and endonuclease V T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Background: DNA fragments carrying internal recognition sites for the restriction endonucleases intended for cloning into a target plasmid pose a challenge for conventional cloning. Results: A method for directional insertion of DNA fragments into plasmid vectors has been developed. The target sequence is amplified from a template DNA sample by PCR using two oligonucleotides each containing a single deoxyinosine base at the third position from the 5' end. Treatment of such PCR products with endonuclease V generates 3' protruding ends suitable for ligation with vector fragments created by conventional restriction endonuclease reactions. Conclusions: The developed approach generates terminal cohesive ends without the use of Type II restriction endonucleases, and is thus independent from the DNA sequence. Due to PCR amplification, minimal amounts of template DNA are required. Using the robust Taq enzyme or a proofreading Pfu DNA polymerase mutant, the method is applicable to a broad range of insert sequences. Appropriate primer design enables direct incorporation of terminal DNA sequence modifications such as tag addition, insertions, deletions and mutations into the cloning strategy. Further, the restriction sites of the target plasmid can be either retained or removed. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 983 KW - cohesive ends KW - DNA cleavage KW - genetic vectors KW - modified primers KW - molecular methods KW - polymerase chain reaction KW - recombinant Escherichia coli KW - restriction enzymes Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-431085 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 983 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Eccard, Jana A1 - Herde, Antje T1 - Seasonal variation in the behaviour of a short-lived rodent N2 - Background: Short lived, iteroparous animals in seasonal environments experience variable social and environmental conditions over their lifetime. Animals can be divided into those with a "young-of-the-year" life history (YY, reproducing and dying in the summer of birth) and an "overwinter" life history (OW, overwintering in a subadult state before reproducing next spring). We investigated how behavioural patterns across the population were affected by season and sex, and whether variation in behaviour reflects the variation in life history patterns of each season. Applications of pace-of-life (POL) theory would suggest that long-lived OW animals are shyer in order to increase survival, and YY are bolder in order to increase reproduction. Therefore, we expected that in winter and spring samples, when only OW can be sampled, the animals should be shyer than in summer and autumn, when both OW and YY animals can be sampled. We studied common vole (Microtus arvalis) populations, which express typical, intra-annual density fluctuation. We captured a total of 492 voles at different months over 3 years and examined boldness and activity level with two standardised behavioural experiments. Results: Behavioural variables of the two tests were correlated with each other. Boldness, measured as short latencies in both tests, was extremely high in spring compared to other seasons. Activity level was highest in spring and summer, and higher in males than in females. Conclusion: Being bold in laboratory tests may translate into higher risk-taking in nature by being more mobile while seeking out partners or valuable territories. Possible explanations include asset-protection, with OW animals being rather old with low residual reproductive value in spring. Therefore, OW may take higher risks during this season. Offspring born in spring encounter a lower population density and may have higher reproductive value than offspring of later cohorts. A constant connection between life history and animal personality, as suggested by the POL theory, however, was not found. Nevertheless, correlations of traits suggest the existence of animal personalities. In conclusion, complex patterns of population dynamics, seasonal variation in life histories, and variability of behaviour due to asset-protection may cause complex seasonal behavioural dynamics in a population. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 403 KW - animal personalities KW - boldness KW - life history KW - pace-of-life KW - POL KW - phenotypic plasticity KW - common vole Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-401370 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Liesenjohann, Monique A1 - Liesenjohann, Thilo A1 - Palme, Rupert A1 - Eccard, Jana T1 - Differential behavioural and endocrine responses of common voles (Microtus arvalis) to nest predators and resource competitors N2 - Background: Adaptive behavioural strategies promoting co-occurrence of competing species are known to result from a sympatric evolutionary past. Strategies should be different for indirect resource competition (exploitation, e.g., foraging and avoidance behaviour) than for direct interspecific interference (e.g., aggression, vigilance, and nest guarding). We studied the effects of resource competition and nest predation in sympatric small mammal species using semi-fossorial voles and shrews, which prey on vole offspring during their sensitive nestling phase. Experiments were conducted in caged outdoor enclosures. Focus common vole mothers (Microtus arvalis) were either caged with a greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) as a potential nest predator, with an herbivorous field vole (Microtus agrestis) as a heterospecific resource competitor, or with a conspecific resource competitor. Results: We studied behavioural adaptations of vole mothers during pregnancy, parturition, and early lactation, specifically modifications of the burrow architecture and activity at burrow entrances. Further, we measured pre- and postpartum faecal corticosterone metabolites (FCMs) of mothers to test for elevated stress hormone levels. Only in the presence of the nest predator were prepartum FCMs elevated, but we found no loss of vole nestlings and no differences in nestling body weight in the presence of the nest predator or the heterospecific resource competitor. Although the presence of both the shrew and the field vole induced prepartum modifications to the burrow architecture, only nest predators caused an increase in vigilance time at burrow entrances during the sensitive nestling phase. Conclusion: Voles displayed an adequate behavioural response for both resource competitors and nest predators. They modified burrow architecture to improve nest guarding and increased their vigilance at burrow entrances to enhance offspring survival chances. Our study revealed differential behavioural adaptations to resource competitors and nest predators. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 402 KW - behavioural adaptations KW - small mammals KW - interspecific interactions KW - nest predation KW - stress response KW - faecal corticosterone metabolites KW - burrow system KW - shrews KW - voles Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-401184 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Jeltsch, Florian A1 - Bonte, Dries A1 - Pe'er, Guy A1 - Reineking, Björn A1 - Leimgruber, Peter A1 - Balkenhol, Niko A1 - Schröder-Esselbach, Boris A1 - Buchmann, Carsten M. A1 - Müller, Thomas A1 - Blaum, Niels A1 - Zurell, Damaris A1 - Böhning-Gaese, Katrin A1 - Wiegand, Thorsten A1 - Eccard, Jana A1 - Hofer, Heribert A1 - Reeg, Jette A1 - Eggers, Ute A1 - Bauer, Silke T1 - Integrating movement ecology with biodiversity research BT - exploring new avenues to address spatiotemporal biodiversity dynamics N2 - Movement of organisms is one of the key mechanisms shaping biodiversity, e.g. the distribution of genes, individuals and species in space and time. Recent technological and conceptual advances have improved our ability to assess the causes and consequences of individual movement, and led to the emergence of the new field of ‘movement ecology’. Here, we outline how movement ecology can contribute to the broad field of biodiversity research, i.e. the study of processes and patterns of life among and across different scales, from genes to ecosystems, and we propose a conceptual framework linking these hitherto largely separated fields of research. Our framework builds on the concept of movement ecology for individuals, and demonstrates its importance for linking individual organismal movement with biodiversity. First, organismal movements can provide ‘mobile links’ between habitats or ecosystems, thereby connecting resources, genes, and processes among otherwise separate locations. Understanding these mobile links and their impact on biodiversity will be facilitated by movement ecology, because mobile links can be created by different modes of movement (i.e., foraging, dispersal, migration) that relate to different spatiotemporal scales and have differential effects on biodiversity. Second, organismal movements can also mediate coexistence in communities, through ‘equalizing’ and ‘stabilizing’ mechanisms. This novel integrated framework provides a conceptual starting point for a better understanding of biodiversity dynamics in light of individual movement and space-use behavior across spatiotemporal scales. By illustrating this framework with examples, we argue that the integration of movement ecology and biodiversity research will also enhance our ability to conserve diversity at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 401 KW - mobile links KW - species coexistence KW - community dynamics KW - biodiversity conservation KW - long distance movement KW - landscape genetics KW - individual based modeling Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-401177 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Schwarte, Sandra A1 - Brust, Henrike A1 - Steup, Martin A1 - Tiedemann, Ralph T1 - Intraspecific sequence variation and differential expression in starch synthase genes of Arabidopsis thaliana T2 - BMC Research Notes N2 - Background Natural accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana are a well-known system to measure levels of intraspecific genetic variation. Leaf starch content correlates negatively with biomass. Starch is synthesized by the coordinated action of many (iso)enzymes. Quantitatively dominant is the repetitive transfer of glucosyl residues to the non-reducing ends of α-glucans as mediated by starch synthases. In the genome of A. thaliana, there are five classes of starch synthases, designated as soluble starch synthases (SSI, SSII, SSIII, and SSIV) and granule-bound synthase (GBSS). Each class is represented by a single gene. The five genes are homologous in functional domains due to their common origin, but have evolved individual features as well. Here, we analyze the extent of genetic variation in these fundamental protein classes as well as possible functional implications on transcript and protein levels. Findings Intraspecific sequence variation of the five starch synthases was determined by sequencing the entire loci including promoter regions from 30 worldwide distributed accessions of A. thaliana. In all genes, a considerable number of nucleotide polymorphisms was observed, both in non-coding and coding regions, and several amino acid substitutions were identified in functional domains. Furthermore, promoters possess numerous polymorphisms in potentially regulatory cis-acting regions. By realtime experiments performed with selected accessions, we demonstrate that DNA sequence divergence correlates with significant differences in transcript levels. Conclusions Except for AtSSII, all starch synthase classes clustered into two or three groups of haplotypes, respectively. Significant difference in transcript levels among haplotype clusters in AtSSIV provides evidence for cis-regulation. By contrast, no such correlation was found for AtSSI, AtSSII, AtSSIII, and AtGBSS, suggesting trans-regulation. The expression data presented here point to a regulation by common trans-regulatory transcription factors which ensures a coordinated action of the products of these four genes during starch granule biosynthesis. The apparent cis-regulation of AtSSIV might be related to its role in the initiation of de novo biosynthesis of granules. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 400 KW - Arabidopsis thaliana KW - starch synthases KW - genetic variation KW - transcript level Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-401128 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Pavesi, Laura A1 - Tiedemann, Ralph A1 - De Matthaeis, Elvira A1 - Ketmaier, Valerio T1 - Genetic connectivity between land and sea BT - the case of the beachflea Orchestia montagui (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Talitridae) in the Mediterranean Sea N2 - Introduction: We examined patterns of genetic divergence in 26 Mediterranean populations of the semi-terrestrial beachflea Orchestia montagui using mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase subunit I), microsatellite (eight loci) and allozymic data. The species typically forms large populations within heaps of dead seagrass leaves stranded on beaches at the waterfront. We adopted a hierarchical geographic sampling to unravel population structure in a species living at the sea-land transition and, hence, likely subjected to dramatically contrasting forces. Results: Mitochondrial DNA showed historical phylogeographic breaks among Adriatic, Ionian and the remaining basins (Tyrrhenian, Western and Eastern Mediterranean Sea) likely caused by the geological and climatic changes of the Pleistocene. Microsatellites (and to a lesser extent allozymes) detected a further subdivision between and within the Western Mediterranean and the Tyrrhenian Sea due to present-day processes. A pattern of isolation by distance was not detected in any of the analyzed data set. Conclusions: We conclude that the population structure of O. montagui is the result of the interplay of two contrasting forces that act on the species population genetic structure. On one hand, the species semi-terrestrial life style would tend to determine the onset of local differences. On the other hand, these differences are partially counter-balanced by passive movements of migrants via rafting on heaps of dead seagrass leaves across sites by sea surface currents. Approximate Bayesian Computations support dispersal at sea as prevalent over terrestrial regionalism. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 399 KW - Orchestia montagui KW - Talitrids KW - Mediterranean Sea KW - Phylogeography KW - Mitochondrial DNA KW - Microsatellites KW - Allozymes KW - Approximate Bayesian Computation Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-401110 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Scheffler, Christiane ED - Hermanussen, Michael T1 - Biological age JF - Auxology : Studying Human Growth and Development Y1 - 2013 SN - 978-3-510-65278-5 SP - 44 EP - 47 PB - Schweizerbart Science Publishers CY - Stuttgart ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bröker, Nina Kristin A1 - Gohlke, Ulrich A1 - Müller, Jürgen J. A1 - Uetrecht, Charlotte A1 - Heinemann, Udo A1 - Seckler, Robert A1 - Barbirz, Stefanie T1 - Single amino acid exchange in bacteriophage HK620 tailspike protein results in thousand-fold increase of its oligosaccharide affinity JF - Glycobiology N2 - Bacteriophage HK620 recognizes and cleaves the O-antigen polysaccharide of Escherichia coli serogroup O18A1 with its tailspike protein (TSP). HK620TSP binds hexasaccharide fragments with low affinity, but single amino acid exchanges generated a set of high-affinity mutants with submicromolar dissociation constants. Isothermal titration calorimetry showed that only small amounts of heat were released upon complex formation via a large number of direct and solvent-mediated hydrogen bonds between carbohydrate and protein. At room temperature, association was both enthalpy- and entropy-driven emphasizing major solvent rearrangements upon complex formation. Crystal structure analysis showed identical protein and sugar conformers in the TSP complexes regardless of their hexasaccharide affinity. Only in one case, a TSP mutant bound a different hexasaccharide conformer. The extended sugar binding site could be dissected in two regions: first, a hydrophobic pocket at the reducing end with minor affinity contributions. Access to this site could be blocked by a single aspartate to asparagine exchange without major loss in hexasaccharide affinity. Second, a region where the specific exchange of glutamate for glutamine created a site for an additional water molecule. Side-chain rearrangements upon sugar binding led to desolvation and additional hydrogen bonding which define this region of the binding site as the high-affinity scaffold. KW - bacterial O-antigen KW - carbohydrate interaction KW - site-directed mutagenesis KW - structural thermodynamics KW - tailspike protein Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1093/glycob/cws126 SN - 0959-6658 VL - 23 IS - 1 SP - 59 EP - 68 PB - Oxford Univ. Press CY - Cary ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Arnison, Paul G. A1 - Bibb, Mervyn J. A1 - Bierbaum, Gabriele A1 - Bowers, Albert A. A1 - Bugni, Tim S. A1 - Bulaj, Grzegorz A1 - Camarero, Julio A. A1 - Campopiano, Dominic J. A1 - Challis, Gregory L. A1 - Clardy, Jon A1 - Cotter, Paul D. A1 - Craik, David J. A1 - Dawson, Michael A1 - Dittmann-Thünemann, Elke A1 - Donadio, Stefano A1 - Dorrestein, Pieter C. A1 - Entian, Karl-Dieter A1 - Fischbach, Michael A. A1 - Garavelli, John S. A1 - Goeransson, Ulf A1 - Gruber, Christian W. A1 - Haft, Daniel H. A1 - Hemscheidt, Thomas K. A1 - Hertweck, Christian A1 - Hill, Colin A1 - Horswill, Alexander R. A1 - Jaspars, Marcel A1 - Kelly, Wendy L. A1 - Klinman, Judith P. A1 - Kuipers, Oscar P. A1 - Link, A. James A1 - Liu, Wen A1 - Marahiel, Mohamed A. A1 - Mitchell, Douglas A. A1 - Moll, Gert N. A1 - Moore, Bradley S. A1 - Mueller, Rolf A1 - Nair, Satish K. A1 - Nes, Ingolf F. A1 - Norris, Gillian E. A1 - Olivera, Baldomero M. A1 - Onaka, Hiroyasu A1 - Patchett, Mark L. A1 - Piel, Jörn A1 - Reaney, Martin J. T. A1 - Rebuffat, Sylvie A1 - Ross, R. Paul A1 - Sahl, Hans-Georg A1 - Schmidt, Eric W. A1 - Selsted, Michael E. A1 - Severinov, Konstantin A1 - Shen, Ben A1 - Sivonen, Kaarina A1 - Smith, Leif A1 - Stein, Torsten A1 - Suessmuth, Roderich D. A1 - Tagg, John R. A1 - Tang, Gong-Li A1 - Truman, Andrew W. A1 - Vederas, John C. A1 - Walsh, Christopher T. A1 - Walton, Jonathan D. A1 - Wenzel, Silke C. A1 - Willey, Joanne M. A1 - van der Donk, Wilfred A. T1 - Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide natural products overview and recommendations for a universal nomenclature JF - Natural product reports : a journal of current developments in bio-organic chemistry N2 - This review presents recommended nomenclature for the biosynthesis of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), a rapidly growing class of natural products. The current knowledge regarding the biosynthesis of the >20 distinct compound classes is also reviewed, and commonalities are discussed. Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1039/c2np20085f SN - 0265-0568 VL - 30 IS - 1 SP - 108 EP - 160 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry CY - Cambridge ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Dittmann-Thünemann, Elke A1 - Fewer, David P. A1 - Neilan, Brett A. T1 - Cyanobacterial toxins biosynthetic routes and evolutionary roots JF - FEMS microbiology reviews N2 - Cyanobacteria produce an unparalleled variety of toxins that can cause severe health problems or even death in humans, and wild or domestic animals. In the last decade, biosynthetic pathways have been assigned to the majority of the known toxin families. This review summarizes current knowledge about the enzymatic basis for the production of the hepatotoxins microcystin and nodularin, the cytotoxin cylindrospermopsin, the neurotoxins anatoxin and saxitoxin, and the dermatotoxin lyngbyatoxin. Elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways of the toxins has paved the way for the development of molecular techniques for the detection and quantification of the producing cyanobacteria in different environments. Phylogenetic analyses of related clusters from a large number of strains has also allowed for the reconstruction of the evolutionary scenarios that have led to the emergence, diversification, and loss of such gene clusters in different strains and genera of cyanobacteria. Advances in the understanding of toxin biosynthesis and evolution have provided new methods for drinking-water quality control and may inspire the development of techniques for the management of bloom formation in the future. KW - microcystin KW - cylindrospermopsin KW - anatoxin KW - saxitoxin KW - cyanobacteria Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6976.2012.12000.x SN - 0168-6445 SN - 1574-6976 VL - 37 IS - 1 SP - 23 EP - 43 PB - Wiley-Blackwell CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Taylan, Mehmet Sait A1 - Di Russo, Claudio A1 - Rampini, Mauro A1 - Ketmaier, Valerio T1 - Molecular systematics of the genus Troglophilus (Rhaphidophoridae, Orthoptera) in Turkey mitochondrial 16S rDNA evidences JF - ZooKeys N2 - This study focuses on the evolutionary relationships among Turkish species of the cave cricket genus Troglophilus. Fifteen populations were studied for sequence variation in a fragment (543 base pairs) of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) 16S rDNA gene (16S) to reconstruct their phylogenetic relationships and biogeographic history. Genetic data retrieved three main clades and at least three divergent lineages that could not be attributed to any of the taxa known for the area. Molecular time estimates suggest that the diversification of the group took place between the Messinian and the Plio-Pleistocene. KW - Troglophilus KW - Rhaphidophoridae KW - Orthoptera KW - 16S rDNA KW - mitochondrial DNA KW - molecular systematics KW - cave crickets Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.257.4133 SN - 1313-2989 IS - 257 SP - 33 EP - 46 PB - Pensoft Publ. CY - Sofia ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Pedersen, Henrik AE. A1 - Watthana, Santi A1 - Kocyan, Alexander A1 - Srimuang, Kanok-orn T1 - Pollination biology of Luisia curtisii (Orchidaceae) indications of a deceptive system operated by beetles JF - Plant systematics and evolution N2 - A population of Luisia curtisii (Orchidaceae: Aeridinae) in northern Thailand was studied with regard to pollination biology. Although a high level of self-compatibility was demonstrated experimentally, the very low natural fruit set (1.4-1.9 %) clearly indicated that the species depends on external agents for pollination. Our observations suggest that L. curtisii is pollinated by beetles, as Lema unicolor (Chrysomelidae) and Clinteria ducalis (Scarabaeidae) were the only flower visitors observed to carry pollinaria of this species. The hypothesis of specialised cantharophily is further supported by 2-methylbutyric acid and caproic acid being striking components of the floral scent. Judging from the lack of nectar and the behaviour of visiting beetles, the pollination system seems to rely on food or brood site deception. Retention of the anther on the pollinarium for some time after pollinarium removal probably reduces the frequency of insect-mediated autogamy and geitonogamy in Luisia curtisii-a possibility that was supported by comparative data on (1) the anther retention time and inflorescence visitation time of Lema unicolor and (2) stigma and anther length in the orchid. Existing reports of specialised beetle pollination in orchids are reviewed, and we conclude that there is accumulating evidence that specialised cantharophily is more common in the Orchidaceae than previously assumed. KW - Allogamy KW - Anther retention KW - Cantharophily KW - Floral scent KW - Fruit set KW - Outcrossing Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-012-0713-6 SN - 0378-2697 VL - 299 IS - 1 SP - 177 EP - 185 PB - Springer CY - Wien ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fiorentino, V. A1 - Manganelli, Giuseppe A1 - Giusti, Folco A1 - Tiedemann, Ralph A1 - Ketmaier, Valerino T1 - A question of time the land snail Murella muralis (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) reveals constraints on past ecological speciation JF - Molecular ecology N2 - The lively debate about speciation currently focuses on the relative importance of factors driving population differentiation. While many studies are increasingly producing results on the importance of selection, little is known about the interaction between drift and selection. Moreover, there is still little knowledge on the spatial-temporal scales at which speciation occurs, that is, arrangement of habitat patches, abruptness of habitat transitions, climate and habitat changes interacting with selective forces. To investigate these questions, we quantified variation on a fine geographical scale analysing morphological (shell) and genetic data sets coupled with environmental data in the land snail Murella muralis, endemic to the Mediterranean island of Sicily. Analysis of a fragment of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI) and eight nuclear microsatellite loci showed that genetic variation is highly structured at a very fine spatial scale by local palaeogeographical events and historical population dynamics. Molecular clock estimates, calibrated here specifically for Tyrrhenian land snails, provided a framework of palaeogeographical events responsible for the observed geographical variations and migration routes. Finally, we showed for the first time well-documented lines of evidence of selection in the past, which explains divergence of land snail shell shapes. We suggest that time and palaeogeographical history acted as constraints in the progress along the ecological speciation continuum. Our study shows that testing for correlation among palaeogeography, morphology and genetic data on a fine geographical scale provides information fundamental for a detailed understanding of ecological speciation processes. KW - allopatry KW - cytochrome oxidase I gene KW - ecological speciation KW - land snails KW - microsatellites KW - Murella Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.12107 SN - 0962-1083 SN - 1365-294X VL - 22 IS - 1 SP - 170 EP - 186 PB - Wiley-Blackwell CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hechavarria, Julio C. A1 - Macias, Silvio A1 - Vater, Marianne A1 - Mora, Emanuel C. A1 - Kössl, Manfred T1 - Evolution of neuronal mechanisms for echolocation specializations for target-range computation in bats of the genus Pteronotus JF - The journal of the Acoustical Society of America N2 - Delay tuning was studied in the auditory cortex of Pteronotus quadridens. All the 136 delay-tuned units that were studied responded strongly to heteroharmonic pulse-echo pairs presented at specific delays. In the heteroharmonic pairs, the first sonar call harmonic marks the timing of pulse emission while one of the higher harmonics (second or third) indicates the timing of the echo. Delay-tuned units are organized chronotopically along a rostrocaudal axis according to their characteristic delay. There is no obvious indication of multiple cortical axes specialized in the processing of different harmonic combinations of pulse and echo. Results of this study serve for a straight comparison of cortical delay-tuning between P. quadridens and the well-studied mustached bat, Pteronotus parnellii. These two species stem from the most recent and most basal nodes in the Pteronotus lineage, respectively. P. quadridens and P. parnellii use comparable heteroharmonic target-range computation strategies even though they do not use biosonar calls of a similar design. P. quadridens uses short constant-frequency (CF)/frequency-modulated (FM) echolocation calls, while P. parnellii uses long CF/FM calls. The ability to perform "heteroharmonic" target-range computations might be an ancestral neuronal specialization of the genus Pteronotus that was subjected to positive Darwinian selection in the evolution. Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1121/1.4768794 SN - 0001-4966 VL - 133 IS - 1 SP - 570 EP - 578 PB - American Institute of Physics CY - Melville ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Tsukaya, Hirokazu A1 - Byrne, Mary E. A1 - Horiguchi, Gorou A1 - Sugiyama, Munetaka A1 - Van Lijsebettens, Mieke A1 - Lenhard, Michael T1 - How do 'housekeeping' genes control organogenesis?-unexpected new findings on the role of housekeeping genes in cell and organ differentiation JF - Journal of plant research N2 - In recent years, an increasing number of mutations in what would appear to be 'housekeeping genes' have been identified as having unexpectedly specific defects in multicellular organogenesis. This is also the case for organogenesis in seed plants. Although it is not surprising that loss-of-function mutations in 'housekeeping' genes result in lethality or growth retardation, it is surprising when (1) the mutant phenotype results from the loss of function of a 'housekeeping' gene and (2) the mutant phenotype is specific. In this review, by defining housekeeping genes as those encoding proteins that work in basic metabolic and cellular functions, we discuss unexpected links between housekeeping genes and specific developmental processes. In a surprising number of cases housekeeping genes coding for enzymes or proteins with functions in basic cellular processes such as transcription, post-transcriptional modification, and translation affect plant development. KW - Development KW - Housekeeping genes KW - Post-transcriptional modification KW - RNAPII KW - Pre-mRNA splicing KW - Ribosome KW - 3 '-end processing KW - Transcription KW - Translation Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10265-012-0518-2 SN - 0918-9440 VL - 126 IS - 1 SP - 3 EP - 15 PB - Springer CY - Tokyo ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hartwich, Melanie A1 - Martin-Creuzburg, Dominik A1 - Wacker, Alexander T1 - Seasonal changes in the accumulation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in zooplankton JF - Journal of plankton research N2 - In aquatic food webs, consumers, such as daphnids and copepods, differ regarding their accumulation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). We tested if the accumulation of PUFAs in a seston size fraction containing different consumers and in Daphnia as a separate consumer is subject to seasonal changes in a large deep lake due to changes in the dietary PUFA supply and specific demands of different consumers. We found that the accumulation of arachidonic acid (ARA) in Daphnia increased from early summer to late summer and autumn. However, ARA requirements of Daphnia appeared to be constant throughout the year, because the accumulation of ARA increased when the dietary ARA supply decreased. In the size fraction 140 m, we found an increased accumulation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) during late summer and autumn. These seasonal changes in DHA accumulation were linked to changes in the proportion of copepods in this size fraction, which may have increasingly accumulated DHA for active overwintering. We show that consumer-specific PUFA demands can result in seasonal changes in PUFA accumulation, which may influence the trophic transfer of PUFAs within the food web. KW - accumulation KW - Daphnia KW - copepods KW - ARA KW - DHA Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1093/plankt/fbs078 SN - 0142-7873 VL - 35 IS - 1 SP - 121 EP - 134 PB - Oxford Univ. Press CY - Oxford ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wissel, Jörg A1 - Manack, Aubrey A1 - Brainin, Michael T1 - Toward an epidemiology of poststroke spasticity JF - Neurology : official journal of the American Academy of Neurology N2 - Poststroke spasticity (PSS)-related disability is emerging as a significant health issue for stroke survivors. There is a need for predictors and early identification of PSS in order to minimize complications and maladaptation from spasticity. Reviewing the literature on stroke and upper motor neuron syndrome, spasticity, contracture, and increased muscle tone measured with the Modified Ashworth Scale and the Tone Assessment Scale provided data on the dynamic time course of PSS. Prevalence estimates of PSS were highly variable, ranging from 4% to 42.6%, with the prevalence of disabling spasticity ranging from 2% to 13%. Data on phases of the PSS continuum revealed evidence of PSS in 4% to 27% of those in the early time course (1-4 weeks poststroke), 19% to 26.7% of those in the postacute phase (1-3 months poststroke), and 17% to 42.6% of those in the chronic phase (>3 months poststroke). Data also identified key risk factors associated with the development of spasticity, including lower Barthel Index scores, severe degree of paresis, stroke-related pain, and sensory deficits. Although such indices could be regarded as predictors of PSS and thus enable early identification and treatment, the different measures of PSS used in those studies limit the strength of the findings. To optimize evaluation in the different phases of care, the best possible assessment of PSS would make use of a combination of indicators for clinical impairment, motor performance, activity level, quality of life, and patient-reported outcome measures. Applying these recommended measures, as well as increasing our knowledge of the physiologic predictors of PSS, will enable us to perform clinical and epidemiologic studies that will facilitate identification and early, multimodal treatment. Y1 - 2013 SN - 0028-3878 VL - 80 IS - 1 SP - S13 EP - S19 PB - Lippincott Williams & Wilkins CY - Philadelphia ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Sachse, Rita A1 - Wüstenhagen, Doreen Anja A1 - Samalikova, Maria A1 - Gerrits, Michael A1 - Bier, Frank Fabian A1 - Kubick, Stefan T1 - Synthesis of membrane proteins in eukaryotic cell-free systems JF - Engineering in life sciences : Industry, Environment, Plant, Food N2 - Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) is a valuable method for the fast expression of difficult-to-express proteins as well as posttranslationally modified proteins. Since cell-free systems circumvent possible cytotoxic effects caused by protein overexpression in living cells, they significantly enlarge the scale and variety of proteins that can be characterized. We demonstrate the high potential of eukaryotic CFPS to express various types of membrane proteins covering a broad range of structurally and functionally diverse proteins. Our eukaryotic cell-free translation systems are capable to provide high molecular weight membrane proteins, fluorescent-labeled membrane proteins, as well as posttranslationally modified proteins for further downstream analysis. KW - Cell-free protein expression KW - In vitro protein synthesis KW - Labeled membrane proteins KW - Synthetic glycoprotein Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/elsc.201100235 SN - 1618-0240 VL - 13 IS - 1 SP - 39 EP - 48 PB - Wiley-Blackwell CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Häring, Tim A1 - Reger, Birgit A1 - Ewald, Jörg A1 - Hothorn, Torsten A1 - Schröder-Esselbach, Boris T1 - Predicting Ellenberg's soil moisture indicator value in the Bavarian Alps using additive georegression JF - Applied vegetation science : official organ of the International Association for Vegetation Science N2 - Questions Can forest site characteristics be used to predict Ellenberg indicator values for soil moisture? Which is the best averaged mean value for modelling? Does the distribution of soil moisture depend on spatial information? Location Bavarian Alps, Germany. Methods We used topographic, climatic and edaphic variables to model the mean soil moisture value as found on 1505 forest plots from the database WINALPecobase. All predictor variables were taken from area-wide geodata layers so that the model can be applied to some 250 000 ha of forest in the target region. We adopted methods developed in species distribution modelling to regionalize Ellenberg indicator values. Therefore, we use the additive georegression framework for spatial prediction of Ellenberg values with the R-library mboost, which is a feasible way to consider environmental effects, spatial autocorrelation, predictor interactions and non-stationarity simultaneously in our data. The framework is much more flexible than established statistical and machine-learning models in species distribution modelling. We estimated five different mboost models reflecting different model structures on 50 bootstrap samples in each case. Results Median R2 values calculated on independent test samples ranged from 0.28 to 0.45. Our results show a significant influence of interactions and non-stationarity in addition to environmental covariates. Unweighted mean indicator values can be modelled better than abundance-weighted values, and the consideration of bryophytes did not improve model performance. Partial response curves indicate meaningful dependencies between moisture indicator values and environmental covariates. However, mean indicator values <4.5 and >6.0 could not be modelled correctly, since they were poorly represented in our calibration sample. The final map represents high-resolution information of site hydrological conditions. Conclusions Indicator values offer an effect-oriented alternative to physically-based hydrological models to predict water-related site conditions, even at landscape scale. The presented approach is applicable to all kinds of Ellenberg indicator values. Therefore, it is a significant step towards a new generation of models of forest site types and potential natural vegetation. KW - Boosting KW - Mboost KW - Non-stationarity KW - Predictive vegetation mapping KW - Site ecology KW - Species distribution modelling Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1654-109X.2012.01210.x SN - 1402-2001 VL - 16 IS - 1 SP - 110 EP - 121 PB - Wiley-Blackwell CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Badalyan, Artavazd A1 - Neumann-Schaal, Meina A1 - Leimkühler, Silke A1 - Wollenberger, Ursula T1 - A Biosensor for aromatic aldehydes comprising the mediator dependent PaoABC-Aldehyde oxidoreductase JF - Electroanalysis : an international journal devoted to fundamental and practical aspects of electroanalysis N2 - A novel aldehyde oxidoreductase (PaoABC) from Escherichia coli was utilized for the development of an oxygen insensitive biosensor for benzaldehyde. The enzyme was immobilized in polyvinyl alcohol and currents were measured for aldehyde oxidation with different one and two electron mediators with the highest sensitivity for benzaldehyde in the presence of hexacyanoferrate(III). The benzaldehyde biosensor was optimized with respect to mediator concentration, enzyme loading and pH using potassium hexacyanoferrate(III). The linear measuring range is between 0.5200 mu M benzaldehyde. In correspondence with the substrate selectivity of the enzyme in solution the biosensor revealed a preference for aromatic aldehydes and less effective conversion of aliphatic aldehydes. The biosensor is oxygen independent, which is a particularly attractive feature for application. The biosensor can be applied to detect contaminations with benzaldehyde in solvents such as benzyl alcohol, where traces of benzaldehyde in benzyl alcohol down to 0.0042?% can be detected. KW - Aldehyde oxidoreductase KW - Benzaldehyde KW - Biosensor KW - Aromatic aldehydes KW - Molybdenum cofactor Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/elan.201200362 SN - 1040-0397 VL - 25 IS - 1 SP - 101 EP - 108 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER -